Firhad Hakim questions NHRC’s silence on Nagaland, UP violence amid Bengal visit

Mayor Firhad Hakim has strongly criticized the recent visit of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to Murshidabad, questioning both its intentions and relevance. During his interaction with the media, Hakim said that “no one knows what this commission is and what its actual role is,” suggesting that the NHRC’s actions are politically motivated and selectively targeted.

Hakim highlighted what he sees as a glaring double standard. He alleged that the NHRC consistently chooses to intervene in incidents within West Bengal, while completely ignoring similar or worse episodes of violence in other states like Uttar Pradesh and Nagaland. “Why does this commission only appear in Bengal?” he asked, calling its visits suspiciously timed and one-sided.

The Mayor's remarks come in the backdrop of alleged violence in Murshidabad, where the NHRC has reportedly arrived to investigate. Hakim asserted that the law-and-order machinery in West Bengal is fully capable of handling such matters and does not require outside intervention meant only to score political points.

Taking a strong stance on the issue of violence, Hakim assured that the state police would not spare anyone responsible. “Even if they are hiding in the underworld, the police will bring them out,” he said, emphasizing the state’s zero-tolerance policy towards instigators of unrest.

His comments reflect a broader narrative within the ruling party that accuses central institutions of bias and interference. According to Hakim, commissions like the NHRC appear to operate selectively, ignoring serious human rights violations in other parts of the country while focusing solely on Bengal.

This public criticism adds another layer to the ongoing tensions between the state government and national bodies, raising questions about the impartiality and focus of these institutions in a politically charged environment.